Best Of: Will Arnett / ‘Song Sung Blue’ Director Craig Brewer
Fresh Air
NPR
4.4 • 34.4K Ratings
🗓️ 10 January 2026
⏱️ 50 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Will Arnett stars in the new film ‘Is This Thing On?’ about a man going through a divorce, who finds himself onstage doing stand-up. He spoke with Terry Gross about trying out stand-up under a fake name, and his voiceover work.
Also, director Craig Brewer talks about his film, ‘Song Sung Blue.’ It’s based on the true story of a Milwaukee couple who became local legends performing as a Neil Diamond tribute band.
Plus, book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the roadtrip novel ‘The Rest of Our Lives,’ by Benjamin Markovits.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | From W. H.Y.Y. In Philadelphia, this is Fresh Air Weekend. I'm Tanya Mosley. Today we hear from |
| 0:06.5 | Will Arnett. He stars in the new film, Is This Thing On? About a man going through a divorce, |
| 0:12.9 | who finds himself on stage doing stand-up. Tell a joke. I think I'm getting a divorce. |
| 0:19.7 | Also, director Craig Brewer talks about his new film, Song, Sung, Glue. |
| 0:24.7 | It's based on the true story of a Milwaukee couple who became local legends performing as a Neil Diamond tribute band. |
| 0:32.2 | When Brewer started telling people about this project, there was one question he kept getting. |
| 0:37.0 | Are you going to do Sweet Caroline? I was like, yes, yes. We're also going to do Forever in Blue |
| 0:40.9 | jeans. And I'm a believer. And play me and Cherry Cherry. I started bringing up all the, you know, |
| 0:46.0 | he's got other songs. Plus, Marine Corrigan reviews a new novel by Ben Markovitz. |
| 0:57.4 | This message comes from Wise, the app for international people using money around the globe. |
| 1:02.9 | You can send, spend, and receive in up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps. |
| 1:08.3 | Be smart, get Wise. |
| 1:10.4 | Download the Wise app today or visit wise.com. |
| 1:13.6 | T's and C's apply. If you're a super fan of Fresh Air with Terry Gross, we have exciting news. |
| 1:19.7 | W.HYY has launched a Fresh Air Society, a leadership group dedicated to ensuring Fresh Air's legacy. |
| 1:26.0 | For over 50 years, this program has brought you |
| 1:28.8 | fascinating interviews with favorite authors, artists, actors, and more. As a member of the |
| 1:33.9 | Fresh Air Society, you'll receive special benefits and recognition. Learn more at WHYY.org |
| 1:40.0 | slash Fresh Air Society. This is Fresh Air Weekend. I'm Tanya Mosley. My guest today is filmmaker Craig Brewer. |
| 1:48.4 | He built a career telling stories about people chasing dignity and purpose through music. |
| 1:53.6 | He first broke out with hustle and flow. That was back in 2005, about a Memphis pimp trying to make it as a rapper. |
| 2:03.4 | Since then, his work has moved across genres, |
... |
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